Good ways to get protein into a breakfast smoothie?

[Learning_Mum]

So I've taken to having smoothies for breakfast because I'm just not a breakfast eater anymore! Right now I make a smoothie that has about a glass of apple juice, a cup of yoghurt, two cups of berries (mix of cranberries, blueberries, blackcurrants and raspberries), a banana and two tablespoons of flax seed oil. I feel like I should probably get more protein in there but I'm not sure how. I found some recipes on line that include tofu in them but I'm not that keen on tofu. I thought about adding a raw egg but I'm concerned about getting sick. I've thought about protein powder, but I'd rather stick to something natural rather than a supplement.

Does anyone have any ideas? I have protein with other meals (nuts and fruit for snacks, peanut butter or chicken for lunch, chicken or lentils etc for dinner) it's just breakfast, but I feel like that's probably the time to have it, esp as I'm so tired in the morning!

[karika]

hemp seeds and or milk

[genifer]

Im not sure but I do believe oats have a high protien content. Either that or you could add some high protien veggies into your apple juice and add that. Or failing that adding some seeds, nuts or I wonder if using nut milks might work. Im grasping at straws here but just some food for thought.

[Jaxinator]

You can put in peanut butter (with banana, yum!)

Give the tofu a try if you haven't had it in a smoothie before. You don't even notice it. Unless you're not keen on it for other reasons, then nevermind that.

Grind up seeds or nuts and add them to it.

[napless]

Have you tried silken tofu? I find that it works well in smoothies. The texture is quite different from other tofu, and it disappears into the other ingredients.

[425lisamarie]

nut butters, greens and banana m ake a great smoothie. Almond butter is more mild and goes well with fruit. I don't like peanut butter in smoothies.

You can find a good quality whey protein powder. I try to stay away from soy. I always put a whole serving of flax SEEDS, and stay away from buying the nut "milks." They are kind of a waste of money IMO for smoothies because you're not eating the nut, just the juice out of it. Flax seeds are packed with good for you stuff.

[mamaluvs]

Try using greek yogurt, it has way more protein.

I too think peanutbutter smoothies are great!

[Learning_Mum]

Originally Posted by napless

Have you tried silken tofu? I find that it works well in smoothies. The texture is quite different from other tofu, and it disappears into the other ingredients.

I had a look for silken but couldn't find it. Could it be called something different here? Would it be the same as soft tofu or is that something different again? Maybe I'll have to do a google search.

I am iffy about tofu because I'm a bit iffy on soy all round. I don't like that some say it's OK and some say it's not......

[Learning_Mum]

Originally Posted by mamaluvs

Try using greek yogurt, it has way more protein.

I too think peanutbutter smoothies are great!

I might try the greek yoghurt, I've got heaps in the cupboard to use with the yoghurt maker. And less sugar, so that's got to be a good thing!

[*Aimee*]

I add a handful of cashews to my boys smoothies. And greek yogurt. Sooooo good!

[Learning_Mum]

I think I'll try the greek yoghurt as that's got about 12gm of protein per cup. I might still see if I can find the silken tofu though.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I might try some almond butter too, though I think that's pretty expensive.

[staceychev]

Originally Posted by Learning_Mum

I had a look for silken but couldn't find it. Could it be called something different here? Would it be the same as soft tofu or is that something different again? Maybe I'll have to do a google search.

I am iffy about tofu because I'm a bit iffy on soy all round. I don't like that some say it's OK and some say it's not......

Silken is often packaged asceptically and is on the shelf with Japanese foods.

Couldn't you just have a handful of almonds along with your smoothie? Honestly, I think it sounds fine. (Of course, that might be because it's essentially what I have for breakfast, except I grind flax seeds instead of using the oil, and add a scoop of Amazing Greens.)

[simple living mama]

I throw almonds or walnuts in to my smoothies. Sometimes raisins. My kids don't even notice.